EU Slams Turkish Move on Web Curbs

Critics Say Move Threatens Free Speech

ISTANBUL—Turkey's parliament passed a bill that would allow authorities to shut websites without a court ruling, in a move critics slammed as an effort by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to silence dissent and expand his media control.

Lawmakers led by the premier's Justice and Development Party, or AKP, approved the measure late Wednesday, despite charges that it would significantly curtail free speech and intrude on personal...